A network news source, responding to the tragic events that recently took place in a Colorado high school, made this statement about some who were slain: “There is nothing sanctimonious about the faith of these teenagers. They are actively engaged in the world around them.”
Commenting on this statement, a brother said, “This is a challenge to me! Do I live my Christianity in the seclusion of the assembly and my family, or am I actively engaged in this world as a Christian? When I read of the other members of that [Christian] youth group using every opportunity available (even an interview on TV) to present the gospel, I was challenged to consider: Just what am I doing?”
This question should stir all our hearts. Perhaps the highest test of courage in the world’s estimation is to be willing to die for what one believes. But if it is a test of courage to be willing to die for our beliefs, does it not also take courage to be willing to live by them? By public testimony, some young people in that high school died because of their Christian faith. Oh! may we believers still in this dark world be willing to live according to the light of the truth we have. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 44I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3 John 4)).
At least three of those slain were known to their classmates as “committed Christians” the activity of their lives showed the reality of their faith.
One had planned to go on a missionary trip to Africa. Another, a young man, spent the past summer working with a missionary project building housing for the poor in South America. The third, perhaps most touching of all, was saved just two years ago. She evidently had a bright testimony, daily carrying her Bible to school and wearing a bracelet that said, “What would Jesus do?” When asked by her slayer if she “loved God,” she answered, evidently realizing it could cost her life, “Yes, I love God.”
Let’s not miss the point of the question: “Am I actively engaged in this world as a Christian?” At least one and perhaps more of the Colorado teenagers were willing to die for what they believed. Are we willing to live for what we believe?
By death, a deep impact has been made on those who knew them. Are we, through our life, making a similar impact? “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:1616Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)).
For example, we know the Bible exhorts us: “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing” (2 Cor. 6:1717Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:17)). He has also told us in John 15:1919If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (John 15:19) that we “are not of the world.” Most who read this claim to have light from God’s Word. But if we say we hold the truth of separation from “this present evil world,” are we actively living according to that light? The Apostle Peter addresses believers as “strangers and pilgrims” (1 Peter 2:1111Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (1 Peter 2:11)). Is that pilgrim light shining forth from our lives?
Then in Philippians 2:15-1615That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. (Philippians 2:15‑16) we have this: “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life.” Is not this the best way in which we can be “actively engaged in this world”? Our knowledge of the truth of God’s Word should cause us to shine in this moral darkness, holding forth the Word of life to the lost.
It is very beautiful to see that “shining” (our actions) comes first, then “holding forth the Word” (our talk). If our actions aren’t consistent with the light we have from God, of what use will our words be? The world, while rejecting Christ, can’t deny the consistency of these young people’s testimony, for it was sealed by their death. May our lives do the same.
May we be as faithful in our lives to the light and truth we have received as these young believers were in their death to the light they possessed.
Ed.